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Month: June 2019

  • Is Now the Time to Refinance Your Home?

    Is Now the Time to Refinance Your Home?

    When is the right time to refinance your home? That can be a tricky question, as the act of refinancing can be time-consuming and you want to make sure you’re getting the best deal. However, the general rule of thumb is that you want to refinance when you can save at least 2% of the interest rate of your current mortgage. Let’s get more into home refinance, what it means, and when you should pull the trigger.

    Remember: if you have specific questions about real estate or home values, you might wish to speak to a professional financial advisor. Everyone’s situation is unique, and while general rules are helpful, you’ll want specific advice when you go to make major moves like refinancing your home.

    Home Refinance

    What is Home Refinance?

    Home refinancing refers to a practice that involves taking out a new mortgage loan to pay off an existing loan. Broadly, this falls under the umbrella of a financial practice called debt consolidation. This might sound a bit odd at first. Why would you take out a loan just to pay off another loan? However, this makes more sense when you look at the benefits you could get. For instance, if you can get your interest rate lower on the new loan than your existing loan, it’s a good idea to refinance.

    Typically, people are going for the lower interest rate. However, there are other reasons to do this. These reasons could include switching from a fixed-rate mortgage to a variable mortgage, or vice versa. One could also make the switch in order to shorten the length of their mortgage.

    Lower Interest Rates

    One of the main reasons people will refinance is to get a lower interest rate. As a general rule, if you can reduce your interest rate by at least 2%, you should do so. In a market with historically low interest rates, you should also consider getting a fixed-rate loan, which will lock in a rate for the duration of the loan. This can give you peace of mind that the loan will remain stable even as the interest rates of the market go up.

    When one gets a lower interest rate on their mortgage, they have two options. First, they could simply opt to have lower monthly payments. This is great for people who might not have a lot of money left over at the end of the month. Another option would be to pay off the loan faster by keeping the payments the same. This is a great option for people who aren’t having any issue meeting all of their bills every month.

    Fixed Rate: The Right Call?

    Should you get a fixed rate loan when you refinance, or should you opt for an adjustable rate? This is a complex question that depends on a number of factors, like the length of the loan and the current interest rates in the market. However, as a general rule, if interest rates are low or your loan is for a longer period, you may wish to get the fixed rate. This locks in the interest rate and gives you peace of mind that you’re not having to keep up with the market’s rates.

    On the flip side, if you loan is longer, or if interest rates are historically high, you may wish to go with an adjustable loan. Adjustable loans change their interest rates based on the market, generally reflecting what you see on the housing market. These allow you to buy-in with a higher interest rate without worrying about getting stuck with it even while rates in the market fall.


  • The Best Reasons to Take a Cruise Vacation

    The Best Reasons to Take a Cruise Vacation

    Are you in serious need of a vacation? We can’t blame you for that, as everyone needs a break from time to time. However, what kind of vacation is the best for you? Many people love heading to the beach, or to exotic locales. Others prefer to go to resort hotels and enjoy the pool, the spa and the bars. What if you could get all of that and more on a single vacation?

    Why You Should Take a Cruise Vacation

    Stress-Free

    One of the biggest reasons to get out to a cruise boat and kick back in style is that a lot of the normal stresses of a vacation wash away when you get on the boat. You’ve got nothing to worry about: the boat is out at sea and all the luxury you could want is around you. There’s no need to drive anywhere or make travel plans: you’re already traveling!

    There’s nothing to stop you from just taking it easy, drinking however much you’d like, enjoying the comedy shows and clubs, and just generally taking it easy. It’s like being in a luxury resort that goes to all of the exotic locales you’d like to see during your vacation.

    Food Included

    Most cruises include all of your meals in their cost. That means that you get to eat at numerous tasty restaurants and don’t have to worry about the bill! Many cruise liners also have specialty restaurants that cost extra to dine at, but those are usually well worth the price. In either case, you get to sample tons of delicious food while enjoying the laid-back atmosphere of the boat. What’s not to love?

    Typically, the dinners that are included with the cruise are delicious and high-end. Most boats have a fancy dining room where guests are encouraged to come in formal wear, allowing for a very exquisite dining experience. It’s like getting a taste of how the other side lives, all while floating across the ocean.

    Exotic Locales

    No matter whether you take a Caribbean cruise, an Alaskan cruise, or a cruise throughout some other locale, you’ll get to see fantastic and exotic locales. While many vacations have you only visiting one or two locations for the sightseeing and fun, cruises allow you to visit numerous locales scattered across the region you’re visiting.

    Not only do you get to experience all of these great locations, you don’t have to worry about the travel to get there. The boat will take you right to the islands or locations you’d like to visit, and all while you’re relaxing and taking it easy on the boat.

    Amusement Park Meets Luxury Hotel

    When you’re on a cruise boat, you’re essentially on a giant, floating luxury hotel that is attached to an amusement park. Many boats have numerous attractions such as rock-climbing walls, water slides, hot tubs, pools and theaters with fun shows. Even on days that the boat is at sea, with no stops at exotic locations, you’re still enjoying the fun of the boat’s various attractions!

    There are also ample bars, clubs and activities to be found on the boat. If you fancy a drink at a cabana, you can find that below decks. Likewise, if you find yourself longing for a bit of nightlife, there are clubs you can go to dance and meet people.

    In short, a cruise vacation is likely the best of all types of vacations you could be considering going on. Taking a week to simply float on the ocean, enjoy luxury food and drinks, and have fun in the sun sounds like the ideal version of a week off. Not to mention, cruise vacations are usually more affordable than other types of vacations. What are you waiting for? Book yours today!


  • Seven Signs that You May be Depressed

    Seven Signs that You May be Depressed

    Often, people aren’t even aware that they’re living with depression. The symptoms sneak up on them, slowly piling up and pulling their quality of life down. If you’re worried that you or someone you know is depressed, you might not know what to look for. There’s a difference between feeling a little low and feeling depressed. Today we’re going over some of the biggest symptoms of depression to help you identify the issue and seek treatment.

    Symptoms of Depression

    What is Depression

    There are a number of mental disorders that fall under the “depression” classification. While there are distinctions between these various forms of depression, they share a few symptoms in common. Notably, if you feel as though you may be suffering from clinical depression, you should seek help from your doctor. Depression can result in suicidal thoughts and has numerous health detriments associated with it.

    If one or more of these symptoms applies to you, and constantly interferes with your daily life, then you need to seek professional help. There are a number of treatments that can help you tackle depression, including antidepressant medication, diet and exercise, and therapy with a licensed psychiatrist.

    Suicidal Thoughts or Attempts

    Intrusive thoughts regarding ending one’s own life, and attempts to do so, are a sure indicator of major depression. Contact the suicide hotline if you’re struggling with suicidal thoughts, as they are very serious and need to be addressed as such. Remember: suicide is permanent, your problems aren’t. There are plenty of ways you can address your life’s issues without ending it.

    Insomnia, or Sleeping too Much

    Sleep disturbances are common among people suffering with depression. Sometimes this can manifest as insomnia, as the patient finds themselves unable to get to sleep and stay asleep throughout the night. Other times, the patient is oversleeping, often sleeping through alarms or going to bed hours earlier than they normally would.

    Concentration, Memory

    Disturbances in your memory and your concentration can also be common with depression. If you find it hard to remember details, or you’re often forgetting your commitments, it could be related to depression. This is often referred to as “brain fog” and can feel like sleepiness and fatigue in some cases. This could, in turn, lead to the oversleeping some patients experience from depression.

    Fatigue

    Chronic fatigue, lethargy and “laziness” are other common symptoms of depression. People with serious depression might find themselves unable to motivate and have difficulty completing simple tasks. For these people, the thought of even cooking a meal or folding laundry can seem insurmountable. Much like concentration issues, this can contribute to the hazy, “brain fog” feeling many complain of with depression.

    Appetite Disturbance

    Much like sleep disturbances, appetite disturbances can occur in some depression patients. This could manifest as a complete lack of interest in food, often accompanied by complaints of nothing tasting good or sounding appetizing. In other cases, this could result in binge-eating that resembles stress-eating, and often is unhealthy in nature.

    Irritability

    Often, depression can be detected in others by the onset of unusual and heightened irritability. If someone is normally easygoing and relaxed but becomes chronically irritable and hard to talk to, it could be a result of the onset of major depression. Likewise, if you find yourself constantly annoyed by even small things, it could be due to depression.

    Lack of Interest

    A pervasive and telltale sign of depression is the sudden lack of interest in things you once found pleasing. Your hobbies become chores to you that you dread. Activities once pleasurable, like exercise or sex, become unbearable in your daily life. This isn’t normal, and you should seek help if you begin feeling this way.


  • Why the iPhone Has Enjoyed Enduring Success

    Why the iPhone Has Enjoyed Enduring Success

    While the iPhone X and XS line hasn’t sold quite as well as prior iterations of the long-running smartphone line, they’ve still made their mark on the cellphone industry. When looking back at the history of the iPhone, people often overlook just how pivotal Apple’s device was in the development of modern phone technology. Today we’re taking a deeper look at Apple’s device to find out why it’s had such enduring popularity.

    Why the iPhone Remains Popular

    Bleeding Edge

    Let’s begin by saying that we love Android, Android devices and the wide variety of phones available on that platform. However, when it comes to blazingly fast, bleeding-edge technology, no one has Apple beat. The A12 Bionic chip under the hood of the iPhone XS is unparalleled in terms of speed and performances and blows everything Qualcomm offers out of the water.

    This means a lot of things for the iPhone. For one, it means that the overall experience is faster, smoother and more responsive than on any other phone. For another thing, it means that functionality like augmented reality and more taxing games are much better than on a comparable phone, like the Galaxy S10.

    Holistic Design

    Apple’s phones are designed and owned entirely by Apple, and the entire device syncs up with its own features in a beautiful way. Android devices, by their very nature, are composed of parts from dozens of manufacturers. While this is normally seamless, it can occasionally result in Franken-Phones that don’t have the most integrated of features.

    For an example of what we’re talking about, look no further than Apple’s Face ID system on the iPhone X and onward. The incredibly complex and impossible-to-crack technology works like a charm, only unlocking for your face and working in nearly any lighting conditions. Meanwhile, Samsung’s experiments with face unlocking could be beaten by a print-out of your face.

    “Walled Garden”

    Something of a double-edged sword for Apple is their “walled garden” approach to their own technology. If you already own a Mac, an Apple Watch or an Apple TV, you’re heavily incentivized to stay in the ecosystem. The iPhone works seamlessly with the Apple Watch, while it syncs to your Mac easily and organizes your music while it’s at it.

    However, this does mean that it’s a bit harder to jump into Apple’s ecosystem for a single device. That’s not to say that the iPhone won’t work with a PC or with a third-party smartwatch, it just won’t be as clean and user-friendly.

    Speaking of User Friendly…

    While on the subject of being user friendly, let’s take a look at the iPhone for a moment. When you open up an iPhone, there’s not a steep learning curve to figuring out how to use the device. Primarily, if you want to do something, you touch it and it opens. Navigating the more complex gesture controls is intuitive and straightforward. The same goes for the apps available on the iPhone.

    The device is heavily curated, and software all has to be okay’d by Apple before it can hit the App Store. This means that you’re not going to see carrier-based bloatware on your phone, and Apple users get the first pick of the best apps that hit the smartphones. After all, it’s easier for developers to make software for the all-inclusive and unified design of the iPhone over the myriad of configuration Android phones can take on.

    And while we’re on the topic of streamlined phone ecosystems, let’s poke the sore spot: iPhones get iOS updates all on the same day. It can take weeks or months for every Android device to get access to the newest versions of Android, thanks to the disparity between the numerous Android devices. iPhones, by contrast, all update at the same time.


  • The Safest SUVs: Keep Your Family Safe on the Road

    The Safest SUVs: Keep Your Family Safe on the Road

    Why do you buy an SUV? Is it the large interior, with the ample leg room and big infotainment screen? Or do you buy SUVs for their smooth rides, quiet cabins and easy time going around town? No, it’s much more likely that you prefer SUVs for one big reason: safety. You want to keep yourself and your family as safe as possible in the event of an accident. Today, we’re looking at some of the safest SUVs on the road today.

    Safest SUVs

    2019 GMC Acadia

    The 2019 GMC Acadia is the first on our list, and a notable entry for a number of reasons. Firstly, it has earned five stars in several crash ratings, including front and side crash tests, from the NHTSA. Overall, it nets a four-star crash rating, making it high on the list of overall safest SUVs. Further, it received “good” ratings in every category from the IIHS, a high mark for GMC’s SUV.

    The drawbacks have to do with trim levels. Standard safety features leave a bit to be desired, as the base version of the GMC Acadia comes only with Rear Seat Alert, Teen Driver System and a backup camera. That’s not terribly impressive, but you can upgrade at higher trim levels. For instance, you can opt for upgrades to receive adaptive cruise control and rear cross-traffic alerts, which make the SUV more desirable for safety.

    2019 Subaru Ascent

    Our next entry, the 2019 Subaru Ascent, impresses in a number of ways. Firstly, the Ascent is turning heads as a new SUV in the midsize market by coming out of the gate with strong safety ratings. Sporting a “superior” rating in front crash tests by the IIHS, and it sports a glowing five-star rating from the NHTSA. If those stats alone don’t impress you, maybe some of the safety features will.

    Notably, the Ascent comes standard with the EyeSight suite. This suite of safety features, offered by Subaru, includes a number of must-haves like lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control. Additionally, for those looking for even more safety and peace of mind can upgrade to higher trim levels to get access to reverse automatic braking and blind spot monitoring, which are invaluable in heavy traffic conditions.

    2019 Volkswagen Atlas

    What’s not to love about the Atlas? Firstly, the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas offers great safety ratings, sporting a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA. Likewise, the IIHS gave the vehicle a “good” rating in all of its crash tests, marking this as a very safe vehicle to take out around town or on long road trips.

    Volkswagen’s Atlas SUV line has been solid for years, but this year marks a new safety high for the German automaker. The 2019 Atlas is sporting a number of safety features now standard, making it a very responsible choice for families. These safety features include the must-have pedestrian detection and blind-spot monitoring. Also found standard is emergency braking when the vehicle detects an imminent crash. Higher trims get access to even more safety features, including parallel park assist.

    2019 Kia Sorento

    Kia’s Sorento SUV line never fails to impress with the safety ratings and features. The 2019 model is no exception, bringing in five stars from the NHTSA and an overall “good” rating in all categories from the IIHS. The vehicle is replete with standard safety features, too, and even more are available at higher trim levels.

    Adaptive cruise control comes standard, as well as parking sensors and 360-degree-view cameras to help other systems keep you safe and aware of your surroundings. Importantly, the Sorento has a lower intro price than the Subaru Ascent, and even offers more standard safety features, making it the best SUV on this list for safety.

  • 5G Networks are Coming: Are You Ready?

    5G Networks are Coming: Are You Ready?

    The biggest shift in wireless communications history is coming up soon, and it goes under the name “5G”. The newest advancement in wireless communications technology, 5G networks will revolutionize communications speed and change the way the world communicates. This might sound like hyperbole, but it isn’t: this will be a huge moment for technology. Are you ready for the changes?

    5G Networks

    What is 5G?

    5G is a network specification, much like 4G LTE or 3G. These are all types of wireless communication, defined by industry standards, bandwidth and speeds. Think of them like wireless internet speeds, and as loose indicators of the current face of wireless communications technology. Notable advances in technology in the last few years are what has made 5G a possibility.

    When 5G networks go live for a wide-release, carriers like AT&T, Verizon and Sprint will be offering cell phone networks powered by 5G technology. Samsung, Apple and other flagship smartphone manufacturers will also be creating phones with the capability of connecting to 5G networks and making the most of the new technology.

    What This Means

    5G connection speeds are expected to be absurdly fast. As in, downloading a movie in seconds, stream 4K video at 60 FPS, upload video in moments kind of fast. This will bring about big changes in more than just cell phone technology, of course. There will be robotic devices capable of letting a surgeon perform a procedure from across the country. Self-driving cars will be able to connect and make adjustments based on traffic reports in seconds.

    Other functionality could extend to entertainment, augmented reality and consumer products, too. Imagine holding your phone up while watching a football game, and having your screen superimpose live stats and graphics to help you keep track of players, all updated on the fly. That’s the kind of power 5G will bring: the applications are sure to be mind-blowing.

    When Can We Expect This?

    5G networks aren’t quite a widespread reality yet. The technology is currently undergoing rigorous testing and production and is in the final stages before wide release. Some smaller scale, individual-city level 5G tests have been done, but these are using somewhat limited versions of the expected 5G technology.

    At the earliest, we could expect to see some larger cities receiving 5G support in late 2019. However, this is an optimistic estimate and assumes that carriers push for early trial versions of the technology. As for nationwide coverage of 5G networks, that is likely as far away as mid- to late-2020. While this might sound like a long time, the massive increase in power will more than offset the long wait.

    What Phones Can Use 5G?

    It’s unlikely your current phone will be able to use a 5G network unless you have a bleeding-edge phone prototype. In fact, few manufacturers are even selling phones that will be able to use eventual 5G networks yet.

    However, there are a few brand-new phones that are either coming soon or have just been released that will be able to take advantage of 5G when it arrives. If you want to be absolutely future proof, here are some of the phones you should be looking at.

    Upcoming 5G Phones

    The Samsung Galaxy S10 5G, which starts at $1,300, was released in mid-May in the US and will offer 5G connectivity. The Galaxy Fold, which was delayed into later 2019, will also be able to use the upcoming network.

    The Motorola moto z3 will offer a 5G mod chip that will allow you to use the upcoming network, as well. It’s currently available for purchase, but the 5G chip will be launching later. Also coming to the 5G game will be phones for Chinese smartphone maker Huawei, including their Mate 20X 5G and upcoming foldable Mate X.


  • The Health Benefits of Vitamin B12: What You Need to Know

    The Health Benefits of Vitamin B12: What You Need to Know

    Vitamin B12, commonly found in vitamin supplements and some animal products, is vital to your body’s primary functions. The vitamin is also called cobalamin, and it primarily helps your central nervous system function and has many roles related to your red blood cells. Notably, despite your body needing it for optimal health, you can’t produce vitamin B12 on your own.

    Today we’re looking at some of the biggest ways vitamin B12 impacts your health. You may be surprised at how wide-ranging the effects of B12 are on your body. The vitamin plays critical roles in many of your body’s systems, helping to regulate things from blood cell production to serotonin synthesis. Doctors recommend that the average adult get 2.4 mcg of vitamin B12 per day, meaning you might need to get a B12 supplement to stay healthy.

    Vitamin B12

    Macular Degeneration

    Macular degeneration is a disease of the eye that can be more likely to occur in people with low amounts of vitamin B12. Macular degeneration primarily affects your central vision and is typically related to aging. The presence of homocysteine, a type of amino acid, in the bloodstream can lead to a higher risk of developing macular degeneration. This amino acid can be lowered with proper amounts of vitamin B12, however.

    Macular degeneration is a disease which older persons are at a higher risk for. This disease can cause lessened clarity of vision, more eye fatigue and other negative muscular effects. This makes B12 an important supplement for those worried about their ongoing eye health as well as their muscular health.

    Anemia

    People who get the proper amount of vitamin B12, which is around 2.4 mcg per day, are at a lower risk for developing anemia. That’s because the vitamin is an important factor in creating healthy red blood cells. Small, round red blood cells are healthy, and in the absence of B12, blood cells develop larger and more oval shapes, making them less effective at carrying oxygen throughout your body.

    If you develop anemia, it means that your blood cells aren’t able to carry enough oxygen to your organs and muscles. This results in symptoms like fatigue, weakness, drowsiness and lethargy. As such, it’s important that you get the right amount of B12 in your diet to maintain good blood vessel health.

    Bone Health

    People familiar with the body’s various systems will find it unsurprising that, since B12 plays a role in blood cell production, it also plays a role in healthy bones. Bones play a major role in the production of blood cells, as well as giving support and protection to your organs.

    People with B12 deficiencies tend to have lower bone density and less strength present in their bones. Low mineral density means that bones are weaker and can be broken more easily. Your bones are vital for more than just giving shape to your body, however, as their health is directly tied to diseases like osteoporosis.

    Depression

    There have been numerous studies that have linked depression and the lack of the right vitamins in one’s diet. Vitamin B12 is no different in this case. That’s because vitamin B12 plays a major role in helping the body to process serotonin, the chemical that produces calm and positive emotions.

    Likewise, a lack of vitamin B12 makes it so your body produces less serotonin. Unsurprisingly, this means that a lack of the right amounts of vitamin B12 can lead to significantly worse symptoms of depression. Studies have shown that patients with depression responded more positively to regiments that included both antidepressants and B12 supplements than patients who got only antidepressants.